2010 Dairy Princesses Front row, left to right are the 2010 Todd County Dairy Princesses: Tracy Perish, Megan Middendorf, Tiffany Hulinsky and Emma Motl. Back row: the 2010 Junior Dairy Ambassadors - Tayah Smith, Kim Blommel, Deandra Lunemann, Rachel Perish, Samantha Salber, Sarah Paskewitz and Brenda Rausch. Not pictured: Rachel Stoterau. (Staples World photo by Rin Porter) The Todd County American Dairy Association (ADA) held its annual Dairy Princess program on Feb. 20, and selected four Dairy Princesses and eight Junior Dairy Ambassadors to serve the organization during 2010.

Chosen to serve as Dairy Princesses were: Tiffany Hulinsky, daughter of David and Shirley Hulinsky, and 2009 Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School graduate. She served in 2008 as a Junior Dairy Ambassador and in 2009 as a Dairy Princess. She now attends Central Lakes College. Tiffany was sponsored by Associated Milk Producers Inc., of Paynesville and New Ulm.

Megan Middendorf, daughter of Paul and Bonnie Middendorf of Browerville. She served in 2009 as a Dairy Princess. Megan graduated from Browerville High School and now attends the University of Minnesota – Morris. Megan’s sponsors were Nelson Creamery and Centre Dairy Equipment and Supply. Megan was chosen as Miss Congeniality for the 2010 contest.

Emma Motl, daughter of Dr. Kim Harff and Mike Motl of Browerville. Emma is a senior at Staples Motley High School, where she is a member of the speech team and 4-H. Emma served in 2008 and 2009 as a Junior Dairy Ambassador. Emma has been accepted at several colleges, and is waiting to hear about scholarships and financial aid before making her choice. Emma’s sponsor was Osakis Creamery.

Tracy Perish, daughter of Roy and Teresa Perish of Browerville, is a senior at Browerville High School, where she is a member of 4-H, FFA, Student Council and band. Tracy plans to attend the College of St Scholastica next fall. Tracy’s sponsors were Nelson Creamery and Whole Farm Co-op.

The selection program was held at the Browerville Community Center and included a full day events, concluding with a banquet and crowning of the 12 accomplished young women who will represent the dairy industry at a variety of events for the coming year.

The candidates took part in practice radio interviews with Mistress of Ceremonies Ashlee Hartwig, a former Morrison County Dairy Princess and student at the University of Minnesota – Duluth.

Ashlee was named Miss Congeniality and one of the two runners-up in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way 2008-09 competition. She is the daughter of Dan and Patti Hartwig of Swanville, in Morrison County, and is majoring in theatre with an acting emphasis and a minor in journalism.

The candidates also participated in a public speaking workshop to assist them in composing the speeches they will use during their year’s reign. They gave personal interviews to Ashlee Hartwig and presented speeches for feedback from retired speech professor Rin Porter. Chosen to serve as Junior Dairy Ambassadors were the following:

Kim Blommel, daughter of Allen and Charlet Blommel of Clarissa, a student at Eagle Valley High School; Deandra Lunemann, daughter of Patrick and Jody Lunemann of Browerville who attends Eagle Valley High School; Sarah Paskewitz, daughter of Bruce and Sandy Paskewitz of Browerville, who attends Staples Motley High School; Rachel Perish, daughter of Roy and Teresa Perish of Browerville. Rachel attends Browerville High School; Brenda Rausch, daughter of Tom and the late Deb Rausch of Browerville. Brenda attends Browerville High School; Samantha Salber, daughter of Mike and Keri Salber of Browerville. She attends Browerville High School; Tayah Smith, daughter of Rodney and Lori Smith of Motley. Tayah attends Staples Motley High School; Rachel Stoterau, daughter of Conrad and Diane Stoterau. Rachel attends Eagle Valley High School.

Dr. Kim Harff, secretary of the Todd County ADA Board, served as the contest coordinator.

Todd County ADA board members for 2010 include: Kraig Kruse, chair; Tom Rausch, vice-chair; Kim Harff, secretary; Shirley Hulinsky, treasurer; and directors Barb Becker, Susan Kruschke, Larry Mellgren, and Mike Salber. Jim Lunemann serves as an ex-officio non-producer member of the board.